Grip attachment for violin bows



C. 25, 1948. L SHQPMAKER 2,452,396

GRIP ATTACHMENT FOR.VIOLIN BOWS Filed Oct. l5, 1945 patented Oct. 2,1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GRIP ATTACHMENT FOR VIOLIN BOWS LeopoldShopmaker, Kansas City, Kans. Application October 15, 1945, Serial No.622,264

6 Claims.

This invention relates to grip attachment for violin bows, and theprincipal object thereof is to provide a grip attachment which tends toassure proper positioning of the hand, iingers and thumb relative to thebow.

Another object is the provision of a grip attachment which functions tocause proper arching of the hand and curving or bending of the thumb.

A further object is the provision of a grip attachment having an indexnger ring which insures a rm gripping and correct leading and toneproduction characteristics of the index ringer.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of grippingmeans connected with the bow by means of an elastic band which holds thefingers to the bow and at the same time Drovides relaxation of the arm.

With these objects in view as well as other objects which will appearduring the course of the specification, reference will be had to thedrawing wherein- Figure l is a perspective view of a grip attachment forviolin bows, shown in actual use with the bow, and embodying thisinvention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View showing the grip attachment and bow inanother position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective View of the grip attachment detachedfrom the bow and viewed from the front end.

Fig. 4 is a further enlarged perspective view of the device viewed fromthe side.

Authorities agree that there is a scientifically correct way forgripping the violin bow and that probably the most important thing thebeginner needs to learn is the basically correct gripping of the bow.This grip attachment is designed for the purpose of forcing the pupil toso position his hand as to grip the bow in substantially the correctmanner.

Throughout the several Views like reference characters refer to likeparts and the numeral IG designates a body member preferably made ofplastics, light metal or any other suitable material, and formed topresent a semi-tubular hand gripping section I2 and a substantiallyplanar section i4 disposed in tangential relation to the tubular sectionI2. The forward portion of planar section I4 is provided with anupturned guard I6 which is disposed at a substantially right angle tosaid planar section. An open finger ring I8 is pivoted at its one end byrivet 20 to guard I E with its lower portion adjacent planar section I4and its upper portion adjacent the top of guard IB. The upper portion orthe free end of the open ring I8 is provided with a hook 22 to which isattached one end of an elastic band 24 which passes around the stick 25of bow 28. This elastic band serves to resiliently hold the iront endportion of the grip attachmentl in proper relation to the bow stick andat the same time permits the required adjustments therebetween.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 it will be noted that the operator gripsthe section I2 in his hand and between the inner portion of his thumband iorenger with the index nger extended through ring i8 and againstguard I6. Section I2 insures proper separation of the thumb and forengerto insure proper arching of the thumb at the lower side of the bow stickand also provides proper relative relation of the thumb and iorefinger.

It is intended that the body member extends from the front side F of thehand H to substantially the third linger so as to permit substantiallyfree action of the third and fourth finger. The tubular portion of thebody member is shown as a substantially tubular form with the cornerportions curved to eliminate all abrupt angles and to better t the hand.Due to the fact that the tubular portion I2 of the body member is notclosed, and is made of relatively light sheet material it will flex someunder the hand actions, but at the same time will function to supportthe hand properly, and to assume proper outward turn of the lower armwhich should be approximately 45 to the upper arm.

The elastic band 24 is shown as a common rubber band looped about thebow stick 26 and placed over hook 22 to extend over guard I 6, anddownwardly to support the bow stick against objectional sagging.

This grip attachment is intended for the use of beginners on the violin,Viola, violoncello and double-bass, as a guide for the properpositioning of the hand and arm relative to the bow. After the ngershave been trained to properly grip the bow the grip attachment may bedispersed with and the fingers will automatically assume the correctpositions.

Many minor changes as 'to size and shape 0i the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A grip attachment for violin bows comprising a substantiallysemi-circular hand gripping member having a tangential planar section;an angled guard at the forward edge of said planar section; a resilientiinger loop pivotally and adjustably mounted on the inner wall of saidguard, whereby as said grip attachment is gripped by the operator withhis forenger extended through said nger loop, his thumb and fingers willbe held in proper relative relation for holding the violin bow.

2. A gripv attachment for violin bows comprising a Substantiallycylindrical hand gripping member having a tangential planar section; afinger guard disposed at the forward portion of said planar section andin angled'relation thereto;

a inger loop pivoted to the inner face of said guard; a hook at theupper free 'end of saidlloop; and an elastic member engaging said hookand connected to the bow stick with which the grip attachment is beingused.

3. A grip attachment for violin bows comprising a substantiallycylindrical hand gripping member'having ka tangential planar section; anger guard at the lforward edge of said planar section and disposed inangled #relation thereto; a finger loop adju'stably carried by saidfinger guard; and elastic means for connecting said iinger loop'to thestick *of the-bow on which the attachment is being used.

4. A grip attachment for violin bows comprising a substantiallycylindrical hand gripping member having an upper tangential hand restsection; a guard disposed in angled relation to the front end portion ofsaid hand rest section;

necting said nger loop with said Violin bow.

6. -Afgrip attachment for violin bows comprising a substantiallycylindrical hand gripping Vvmern'bero'f a length substantially one-halfthe width of the operators hand, having an upper tangentialhand restsection; a guard disposed in angledfrelation to the iront end portion ofsaid hand rest section; and a flexible 'Enger loop carried by-said guardabcve said hand rest section for receiving the forenger of the bowoperator.

LEOPOLD SOPAKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are `of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,435,926 Johnson f Nov. 21,`1922 1,897,225 Archer Feb. 14, 1933

